Review of cognitive impairment with antimuscarinic agents in elderly patients with overactive bladder.

Overactive bladder (OAB) will become an increasingly prevalent problem as the proportion of older people in the population increases over the next 20 years. In addition to the urological symptoms (urinary urgency, with or without urgency incontinence, usually with increased daytime frequency and nocturia), OAB is associated with other problems in older patients, especially an increased risk of falls and fractures. The bother caused by OAB needs not be an inevitable consequence of ageing, because the symptoms can usually be alleviated, even in frail older people. Pharmacological treatment for OAB involves the use of antimuscarinic agents, whose efficacy and safety profiles depend on their interactions with muscarinic receptors that are widely distributed throughout the body. Interactions between antimuscarinics and M(1) receptors in the central nervous system may have the potential to cause cognitive impairment in older people, depending on muscarinic receptor binding profiles, lipophilicity and the ability to cross the blood brain barrier. Concerns over the possibility of cognitive impairment have contributed to an under-utilisation of antimuscarinics in the geriatric population, despite the high prevalence and severity of OAB in older subjects. Antimuscarinic agents should be actively considered for elderly patients with OAB, but it is desirable to establish the cognitive risk for every type of antimuscarinic, using robust cognition assessment methods.

Family and friends provide most social support for the bereaved.

Social support is important in the bereavement period. In this study, the respondents were family members and friends to a patient who had died at a palliative care unit. The aim was to explore wishes and needs for, access to and effects of social support in the bereaved. We found that the grieving person's wishes for social support from their network and the network also provided most social support. The network consisted of the close family, the origin family, relatives and friend. Support from the professional staff was required when the network was dysfunctional or when the grieving person did not want to burden members of his/her own network. The need for social support from professional staff was most needed close to the death and some time after.

[Urinary incontinence a public disease among the elderly--affects both women and men]. / Urininkontinens folksjukdom bland äldre--drabbar både kvinnor och män.

Urinary incontinence is a common condition encountered by clinicians in many different disciplines. It is a symptom with widespread human and social implications, causing discomfort, shame and loss of self-confidence. In the elderly, urinary incontinence may be an important factor in the decision to institutionalize a person. The prevalence of urinary incontinence increases with advancing age in both men and women. Reasons for this are probably multifactorial, and may be due to one or more factors in the individual patient. Many elderly persons suffering from urinary incontinence do not wish to or are incapable of undergoing elaborate workup and treatment. It is important to individualize both workup and treatment of the elderly.

A longitudinal cohort study of elderly women with urinary tract infections.

AIMS: the prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTI), urinary incontinence (UI), estrogen-use and overall mortality in a cohort of elderly women who had been treated for UTI in 1985-86 was re-assessed 10 years later. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a random sample of 6000 women from the birth cohorts 1900, 1905, 1910, 1915 and 1920 were invited in 1986 to complete a questionnaire about UTI, UI and estrogen use (response rate 70%; n = 4206). Treatment with antibiotics for UTI during 1985-86 was reported by 688 (17%) women. In 1995 a similar questionnaire was sent to the women from this group who were still alive (n = 434). Mortality in the women with a history of UTI was compared with an aged-matched control group of women who did not have UTI during 1985-86. RESULTS: the questionnaire was completed and returned by 361 (83%) women. Treatment for at least one UTI during the last 9 years was reported by 219 (61%) women. The number of episodes varied: 35% had one to two UTI, 28% had three to four UTI, 27% five to ten UTI and 10% had had more than 10 UTI. In 1986, the prevalence of UI was higher in women with a history of UTI than in the total population sample (30 vs. 17%; P < 0.001). The prevalence of UI had increased from 30% in 1986 to 33% in 1995 (P < 0.05). Mortality in the women with a history of UTI was higher than in the aged-matched control group (37 vs. 28%; P < 0.001). A total of 162 (45%) women had received estrogen therapy at some time after the age of 60 years and 140 (39%) reported that they were currently taking low potency estrogens. CONCLUSION: elderly women with a history of UTI had a continued high occurrence of UTI and UI, and overall mortality was higher in these women than in an age-matched control group of women from the total population.

The prevalence of urinary incontinence and its influence on the quality of life in women from an urban Swedish population.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of urinary incontinence and its influence on the quality of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A random sample of every fourth woman aged > or =20 years resident in a primary health care district of the city of Göteborg was obtained from the population register (n=2911). The women were invited by letter to complete a questionnaire concerning urinary incontinence. The women were also requested to assess their quality of life using a visual analogue scale. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 77%. The prevalence of urinary incontinence increased (p<0.001) in a linear fashion from 3% in the cohort 20-29 years to 32 % in the cohort of women aged > or =80 years. The proportion of women suffering from stress incontinence decreased (p<0.001) with increasing age, while the proportion of women suffering from urge and mixed incontinence increased (p<0.01) with increasing age. Women with stress incontinence had a greater body weight and had given birth to a greater number of children compared to continent women. There was, however, in this respect no difference between women with urge incontinence and continent women. Women with urinary incontinence reported a poorer quality of life compared to continent women (p<0.01). Women with urge incontinence and women with mixed incontinence reported a poorer quality of life compared to women with stress incontinence (p<0.05). Only 6% of the women from this population had sought medical attention for urinary incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Although urinary incontinence was a prevalent condition, particularly among the elderly and had a negative influence on the quality of life, only a small number of women had sought medical care.

Urinary incontinence and lower urinary tract symptoms: an epidemiological study of men aged 45 to 99 years.

PURPOSE: We assessed the prevalence of urinary incontinence and other lower urinary tract symptoms in men 45 years old or older. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample (10,458) of the total population of men 45 years old or older living in Göteborg, Sweden. The response rate was 74%. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of urinary incontinence was 9.2% increasing (p < 0.001) linearly from 3.6% in men 45 years old to 28.2% in men 90 years old or older. Daily leakage was reported by 64%, and 31% believed that urinary incontinence limited their social and vocational life. However, only 46% of the men with urinary incontinence had sought medical advice. Overall prevalence of other voiding disturbances included hesitancy in 9.1% of the patients, weak stream in 30.5%, dribbling in 33.7%, sensation of incompletely emptied bladder in 26.4%, nocturia in 56.1% and history of urinary tract infection in the last 2 years in 6.3%. Prevalence of all symptoms increased with increasing age. Childhood enuresis was reported by 9.1%. Impotence was reported by 7.6% and there was a linear increase (p < 0.001) in the number of men reporting impotence up to 80 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of urinary incontinence and lower urogenital tract symptoms, such as hesitancy, weak stream, dribbling, sensation of incompletely emptied bladder, nocturia, urinary tract infection and impotence, increased linearly with increasing age.

Association between urinary incontinence and urinary tract infections, and fractures in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: The association between urinary disorders, such as ongoing urinary incontinence (UI), history of urinary incontinence (HIST-UI) and urinary tract infections (UTI), and fractures in peri- and postmenopausal women was assessed in an epidemiological study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 10000 women from seven birth cohorts, born between 1900 and 1940, who were investigated regarding urinary disorders, fractures and reproductive history by means of a postal questionnaire. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 74.6%. The respondents (n = 7459) represented 53% of the total population from the respective birth cohorts. There was a significant independent correlation between UI, HIST-UI and UTI, respectively, and fractures after the age of 30. In subjects with HIST-UI, tobacco smokers compared to non-smokers had significant more fractures in both the 1930 and 1940 birth cohorts (P < 0.01). Logistic multiple regression in the 1930 and 1940 cohorts demonstrated that age (P < 0.001), HIST-UI (P < 0.001) and tobacco smoking (P < 0.05), respectively, had an independent explanatory value for fractures. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of fractures increased with increasing age, in smokers compared to non-smokers and in women with a history of UI.

The influence of age, parity, oral contraception, hysterectomy and menopause on the prevalence of urinary incontinence in women.

The influence of age, parity, duration of previous oral contraceptive use, hysterectomy and menopause on the prevalence of urinary incontinence was evaluated by means of a postal questionnaire in women 46 to 86 years old who resided in the city of Göteborg, Sweden. A sample of 10,000 women from the 7 birth cohorts of 1900 to 1940 was obtained at random from the population register. The overall response rate was 74.6%. The prevalence of urinary incontinence increased (p < 0.001) in a linear fashion from 12.1% in the 1940 birth cohort to 24.6% in the 1900 birth cohort. The prevalence of urinary incontinence in nulliparous women was 7.7% in the 1930 birth cohort and 5.5% in the 1940 birth cohort. The corresponding figures for women who had experienced 1 delivery were 11.1% and 10.6%, compared to 14.0% and 16.4% among women who had had 3 or more deliveries. Urinary incontinence was more prevalent in women who had undergone hysterectomy (p < 0.05). The prevalence of urinary incontinence was unaffected by the duration of previous oral contraceptive use and there was no evidence to suggest that the prevalence of urinary incontinence increased at the time of the last menstrual period.

Factors influencing vaginal cytology, pH and bacterial flora in elderly women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors influencing the vaginal micro-environment in elderly women. STUDY DESIGN: Vaginal pH, cytology (Karyopyknotic index, KPI) and bacterial cultures were assessed in 350 women (age 72.2 +/- 1.4 years, range 65-84 years) who were not taking estrogens. RESULTS: Vaginal pH was 6.5 +/- 0.1, KPI was 3.0 +/- 0.9% and bacteria of fecal type dominated. However, in some women the vaginal micro-environment resembled that of fertile women, with a predominance of lactobacilli (n = 68), low pH (n = 41) and an increased maturation index (n = 57). KPI was higher (p < 0.001) in women weighing > or = 85 kg, or with a body mass > or = 9th decentile or with a diastolic blood pressure > or = 100 mmHg and in women (p < 0.05) with a high menopausal age (> or = 53 years). Vaginal pH was lower (p < 0.001), KPI was higher (p < 0.01) and there was an increased (p < 0.05) presence of lactobacilli in smokers compared to non-smokers. CONCLUSIONS: The latter finding is somewhat paradoxical as cigarette smoking has previously been shown to negatively influence estrogen metabolism. The influence of cigarette smoking on the vaginal micro-environment may be a direct local effect of nicotine.

The influence of urinary incontinence on the quality of life of elderly women.

The quality of life assessed by the Nottingham Health Profile Questionnaire was compared in a group of women (n = 120) suffering from urinary incontinence (age 75.4 +/- 1.9, range 65-84 years) and an age-matched representative sample of the total population (n = 313). There were no significant differences between the two groups of women in occurrence of other illnesses or social characteristics. Women suffering from urinary incontinence obtained higher scores in the domains of emotional disturbances (p < 0.05) and social isolation (p < 0.001) than women from the control group. When subdividing the incontinent women by type of incontinence it was found that women suffering from urge and mixed incontinence reported emotional disturbances (p < 0.05) more than women from the control group. There was, however, no difference within the domain of emotional disturbances between stress-incontinent women and the control group. Women suffering from urge incontinence reported more disturbance of sleep (p < 0.05) than the control group. Women suffering from all types of urinary incontinence (p < 0.05) were socially more isolated than those from the age-matched group of women from the total population. Urinary incontinence in women has a detrimental effect on their daily lives and causes them to avoid social contacts.

Urinary incontinence and related urogenital symptoms in elderly women.

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI), urinary tract infections (UTI) and related urogenital symptoms (UGS) in a representative sample of elderly women (Papers I & II), and to investigate factors (Papers II & III) influencing the prevalence of UI in these women. The effects of treatment with oral estriol and placebo on the vaginal bacterial flora, vaginal cytology and urogenital symptoms in elderly women suffering from the urogenital estrogen deficiency syndrome were compared (Paper IV). A health care programme, based on an algorithm model, for the investigation and treatment of elderly women suffering from UI and related UGS, was designed and applied to a large group of elderly women (Paper V). The prevalence of UI increased in a linear fashion from 12% in the 1940 birth cohort to 25% in the 1900 birth cohort (Papers I & II). There was similar increase in the prevalence of UTI from 14% in the 1920 birth cohort to 23% in the 1900 birth cohort. In contrast, the reported prevalence of UGS such as vaginal discomfort, discharge and pruritus did not increase with age. The prevalence of UI increased with increasing parity and after hysterectomy, but was unaffected by the duration of previous oral contraceptive usage. There was no evidence to suggest that the prevalence of UI increased at the time of the last menstrual period. Neurological illnesses were an uncommon cause of UI in women < or = to 75 years of age (Paper III). Oral estriol (3 mg/day for 4 weeks followed by 2 mg/day for a further 6 weeks) had a positive influence on vaginal pH, cytology and the vaginal bacteria flora, and on UGS in elderly women suffering from the urogenital estrogen deficiency syndrome (Paper IV). Using objective techniques of evaluation (Paper V) it was possible to demonstrate successful treatment of elderly women with urge and mixed incontinence using a simple health care programme. There was however no evidence of improvement in women suffering from stress incontinence when using the same treatment regime. Women with all types of incontinence, treated according to this algorithm model, displayed an improvement in vaginal pH, vaginal cytology and the vaginal bacterial flora.

A health care program for the investigation and treatment of elderly women with urinary incontinence and related urogenital symptoms.

The assessment and treatment of urinary incontinence and related urogenital symptoms using an algorithm model was evaluated in 364 elderly women complaining of urinary incontinence. The women (age 72.1 +/- 1.5 years, range 65-84 years) were assessed by a 48-hour pad test, a cough provocation test, micturition lists and a gynecological examination which included a smear test, measurement of vaginal pH and bacterial cultures. The diagnosis of urinary incontinence was confirmed in 346 women (stress 26.3%; urge: 32.7%; mixed: 41.0%). Women suffering from stress incontinence were younger (p less than 0.05) and had experienced a larger number of deliveries (p less than 0.05) than women with urge incontinence. All the women were treated with oral estriol, 3 mg daily for 4 weeks followed by 1-2 mg daily. The total urinary leakage per 48 hours (p less than 0.01) and maximum single leakage (p less than 0.05) were reduced in women with mixed incontinence, while the frequency of micturition decreased (p less than 0.05) in women with urge incontinence after 12 weeks treatment with oral estriol. There were no significant changes in any of the objective micturition parameters in women with stress incontinence following treatment. Karyopyknotic index and the presence of lactobacilli were increased (p less than 0.001), and vaginal pH decreased (p less than 0.001) following treatment in women with all types of incontinence. More than 70% of all the women treated in this algorithm model judged themselves to be improved, much improved or cured.

Effect of oral oestriol on vaginal flora and cytology and urogenital symptoms in the post-menopause.

The effect of oral oestriol (3 mg/day for 4 weeks followed by 2 mg/day for a further 6 weeks) on the vaginal bacterial flora, vaginal cytology and urogenital symptoms was assessed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 35 women with symptoms of the urogenital oestrogen deficiency syndrome. No significant differences were observed with regard to the occurrence or severity of urogenital symptoms, vaginal pH, karyopyknotic index (KPI) or the baseline results of vaginal bacterial cultures in the 18 patients (mean age 71.6 +/- 1.0 years) treated with oestriol and the 17 women (mean age 72.6 +/- 1.4 years) who received placebo tablets. A decrease in both vaginal pH (P less than 0.001) and the proportion of faecal-type bacteria (P less than 0.05), and an increase in the KPI (P less than 0.01) and the proportion of lactobacilli (P less than 0.001) were recorded after 10 weeks of treatment with oral oestriol. At the end of the following 10 medication-free weeks all of these parameters except vaginal pH had returned to values that were not significantly altered from the corresponding baseline levels. In the patients treated with placebo no significant changes occurred in vaginal pH, KPI or the proportion of lactobacilli in vaginal cultures during the course of this study. Urogenital symptoms improved in both groups after medication (and even after the medication-free period) in relation to the baseline assessment, which reflects the latter's subjective nature.

An epidemiological study of urinary incontinence and related urogenital symptoms in elderly women.

The prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) and related urogenital symptoms (UGS) was investigated in a random sample (n = 4206) of women from the 1900-20 birth cohorts residing in the city of Göteborg. It was reported by 16.9% of the respondents that they currently had UI and by 22.7% that they had regularly suffered from this complaint at some time in their lives. The prevalence of UI increased (P less than 0.001) with rising age, from 13.9% in the 1920 birth cohort to 24.6% in the 1900 birth cohort. Over 50% of the sufferers reported daily incontinence. An objective assessment was performed in a subsample (n = 300) of the women complaining of UI. In 14 cases (4.6%) the diagnosis could not be confirmed, while in the remainder UI was classified by type as follows: stress incontinence 24%, urge incontinence 49% and mixed incontinence 27%. The number of urinary tract infections (UTI) reported by the respondents increased (P less than 0.001) with rising age. UGS such as pruritus, burning, pain and vaginal discharge were reported by 11% of the respondents. The reported frequency of local vaginal discomfort did not increase with age, unlike that of UI and UTI. Systemic or local oestrogen treatment was being received by 9.2% of the respondents.

Neurological examination of elderly women under investigation for urinary incontinence.

A random sample of 6,000 women from the birth cohorts 1900-1920 were invited to participate in an investigation of urinary incontinence by completing and returning an enclosed questionnaire. Of the 4,206 women who returned the completed questionnaire, 677 (16.9%) complained of urinary incontinence and accepted an invitation to be examined and treated at our clinic. The first 150 consecutive patients recruited via this questionnaire who attended the clinic underwent a detailed neurological examination. The prevalence of neurological signs amongst this group of women was low, only 2% were considered to have a focal encephalopathy, 1% had an organic brain syndrome, 2% had a myelopathy and a further 1% were considered to have a polyneuropathy. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of neurological signs between the group of women with urinary incontinence and an age-matched control group from the total population. Thus, urinary incontinence in an unselected population of elderly women appears to be mainly dependent on other aetiological factors rather than neurological dysfunction.

Special health services--an introduction to a programme for elderly women with urinary incontinence and related symptoms.

Urinary incontinence and related urogenital symptoms can be considered to constitute a concealed yet widespread disease amongst elderly women. The problems are to a large extent related to hormonal changes associated with the ageing process. The symptoms have been reported to occur in more than 50% of elderly women. Like severe angina pectoris, osteoarthrosis of the hip and cataract, urinary incontinence and related symptoms may negatively influence the quality of life and reduce the individual's degree of independency. A health care programme, based on an algorithmic model, for the investigation and treatment of urinary incontinence and related symptoms is described. A representative sample of elderly women aged 65-85 yr suffering from urogenital symptoms are currently participating in this programme. The aim is to cure or alleviate urogenital symptoms amongst the elderly women concerned and to assess the value of the programme from a cost-benefit point of view.